o vnderstand the force
and terms whereunto the fier of loue and desperation had brought
that amorous mayden: tellinge them that all the treasure and
Iewels which she had found (where she left the halter, and
wherewith Philene was minded to hang hir selfe) did by good
right and reason belonge to hir: then she did let them se the
counterpayne of that bill which was in the casket, in all points
agreeable thereunto, declaringe moreouer that verye lyke and
reasonable yt were, like curtesie should bee vsed vnto her, as
by whom they hadde receyued so greate honoure and delyghte. Her
husband which was a Carthagian borne, very churlishe and
couetous, albeit by conferring the writings together, he knewe
the matter to be true, and that Philene ought to be the
possessor thereof, yet by no meanes would agree vnto hys wyue's
request, but fell into a rage, callinge hir Foole and Ideot, and
sayinge that hee had rather that shee had bene a Thousande tymes
hanged, than he would giue hir one peny: and although she had
saued hir life, yet she ought to be banished the Citty, for so
mutch as the same and all the propertie thereof was brought into
the Romane's handes, and amongs the same hir mother's house, and
al hir goods in possession of the victors, and euery part, at
their disposition and pleasure. And moreouer, for so mutch as
hir mother and shee had departed Carthage, and would not abide
the hazarde and extremity of their country as other Citizens
did, and hauing concealed and hidden those riches which ought to
haue ben brought forth for the common defence of their countrey,
and gone out of the Citty as though she had ben a poore simple
Woman, poorely therefore she ought to lyue in Scicilia, whyther
she was fled. Wherefore he was of opinion, that she in this
maner beinge departed when the Citty had greatest neede of hir
helpe, was disfranchised of all the rightes and customes of the
countrey, and that like as a straunger can recouer nothinge in
that Citty, except he haue the priuiledge and Freedome of the
same, euen so Philene (for the considerations before recited)
ought to be compted for a straunger, and not to participate any
thinge within the City, accordingly as the lawes forbid. When he
had so sayd, he was like by force to expell the sorrowfull
mayden out of the house. These wordes greatly grieued Philene,
who doubted least his father in law would haue ioyned with him,
and agree vnto hys alleaged reasons, whych seemed to be of